You Herd It Here

The Ultimate Moving Checklist

Moving your entire household from your old home to your new one can be stressful! Here’s an easy to use checklist to get you moving toward a smooth transition.

Categorize:

Take stock in every room, go through every closet, cabinet and drawer. Make the decision on what to keep and what you can discard or donate. Also keep track of any items that need special packing attention. Make a checklist on paper for each room as you go. You can also move things into these categories. For example, one corner is for donating items, another is for the trash, and another is for items you are keeping. You can even tag items as you go if you don’t want to move them into groups.

Remove:

Organize a yard sale or seek out your closest donation center to get rid of gently used belongings. Doing this as early as possible will be a huge benefit in the end. One less thing to worry about as moving day creeps ever closer.

Start Packing:

Did you know that Moove in Self Storage sells the essential packing supplies you need? We carry boxes in all sizes, bubble wrap and rope along with packing tape and packing paper. You can even find special boxes to fit oddly shaped and sized items like lamps, mirrors, dishes, glasses, TVs and wardrobe boxes to pack up your closet. Begin with items you won’t use on a daily basis to declutter. Keep other frequently used items available until you are ready to move. Make sure to label each box so you know the contents and what room it belongs to in your new home. If you are boxing up items for your storage unit at the same time, make sure it is clearly labeled for storage. We recommend that you label the top of the box as well as two sides.

Contact Movers:

Do your research, make sure the moving company is licensed, bonded and able to do interstate moves if applicable. Get quotes from several companies and make sure you read the fine print. Some moving companies have certain restrictions you need to know ahead of time so you are not surprised on moving day.

If you are not planning to use movers, contact your friends and family! Make sure you have enough vans, SUVs and trucks, or plan to rent a moving truck. You need at least two strong, young people who can lift and maneuver the heavy items for you. If you are going to have kids around that day, be sure to have small tasks they can do to help and feel included, such as handing out drinks and snacks or carrying small, light boxes.

Take Inventory:

Keep a detailed list of all packed boxes, their contents and what rooms they belong in. You can use this list to compare to the moving companies item inventory. Take measurements of large or odd shaped furniture to ensure that these items can fit through doors and/or up staircases in your current home and the new home. This is often overlooked and can create real time-consuming issues that are completely preventable.

Storage Options:

You may need to research storage options in the area in case your new home is not ready when you need to move, or if you still have items to keep but have nowhere in the new house. Talk to the property manager and make sure all your questions are answered. Find out what size storage unit you will need, what type you are interested in, and what the access hours for the property are.

Finish Packing:

Keep enough clothing available for a week or so and keep it separate. You will also need a box for essential items such as bottled water, snacks, camera, toiletries and medications as well as important papers such as insurance documents, birth certificate, moving contracts, keys to the new house and so forth. These items will stay with you in your vehicle to prevent losing track of them. You should even consider placing a first aid kit in this box along with a phone charger, flashlight and cash, credit card or checks.

If you have any questions about creating your ultimate moving checklist from our recommendations, you can contact us or reach out to any of our knowledgeable property managers. And, if you are ready to start using self storage to prepare for your move, you can rent a storage unit online 24/7.